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Don’t lament the death of double denim, hail the rise of its smooth-talking successor—triple leather. Leather was once the material of counter-cultural niches, outlawed gangs, or kink communities—a hardy material that was resistant to the activities that went on when the lights were dimmed. Now it seems, leather is having another renaissance. What once clad thick biker jackets and steel-capped boots has found another home; on the tailored blazers and pants of the fashionable elite.

As we emerge from the pandemic in one of the first iterations of Afterpay Australian Fashion Weeks without significant health measures, attendees are embracing personal style like never before. Guests are turning to their most loved and well-worn pieces that speak to a dramatic staying power in the wardrobe—and the outfits are all the better for it.

Image credit: Getty Images

A perfectly-chosen leather jacket is one such piece in the wardrobe. There’s a lot of discussion around these “wardrobe essentials” or “staples” —but joking aside, the leather jacket has a deserved place in any cupboard. Timothée Chalamet has made the material his own on recent outings, opting for takes on vests, tailored blazers, and of course tapered pants. Bad Bunny has embraced the techno-cowboy aesthetic of leather, tripling down on it while matching with partner Kendall Jenner.

On the streets of Sydney for Afterpay Australian fashion week, leather was out in all its many forms. Whether dyed brown in vintage flight jacket form, or classic black across the rider-style jackets spotted, or even with coloured patches sewn in for a classic moto-jacket look. Leather looks were out in force.

Image credit: Getty Images

Leather—when purchased wisely—has staying power. There’s a reason most autumn/winter collections from brands like Saint Laurent and Acne Studios include some form of leather jacket. It’s not really a case of it being “in” or “out” rather waves of realisation and focus on the craft behind some of your favourite leather pieces. If leather truly is the material of the season, then you’ll want to get in and invest sooner rather than later, and start breaking your jacket in for that perfect fit.

Scroll on for the best of the leather looks spotted on the streets of Afterpay Australian Fashion Week, and if you’re looking to climb aboard, we’ve added some pieces to get you started:

Image credit: Giuseppe Santamaria

Image credit: Giuseppe Santamaria

Image credit: Giuseppe Santamaria

Image credit: Giuseppe Santamaria

Image credit: Giuseppe Santamaria

Image credit: Giuseppe Santamaria

Image credit: Giuseppe Santamaria

Image credit: Giuseppe Santamaria

Image credit: Giuseppe Santamaria

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